In secret place where once I stood <br />Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood, <br />I heard two sisters reason on <br />Things that are past and things to come. <br />One Flesh was call'd, who had her eye <br />On worldly wealth and vanity; <br />The other Spirit, who did rear <br />Her thoughts unto a higher sphere. <br />"Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on <br />Nothing but Meditation? <br />Doth Contemplation feed thee so <br />Regardlessly to let earth go? <br />Can Speculation satisfy <br />Notion without Reality? <br />Dost dream of things beyond the Moon <br />And dost thou hope to dwell there soon? <br />Hast treasures there laid up in store <br />That all in th' world thou count'st but poor? <br />Art fancy-sick or turn'd a Sot <br />To catch at shadows which are not? <br />Come, come. I'll show unto thy sense, <br />Industry hath its recompence. <br />What canst desire, but thou maist see <br />True substance in variety? <br />Dost honour like? Acquire the same, <br />As some to their immortal fame; <br />And trophies to thy name erect <br />Which wearing time shall ne'er deject. <br />For riches dost thou long full sore? <br />Behold enough of precious store. <br />Earth hath more silver, pearls, and gold <br />Than eyes can see or hands can hold. <br />Affects thou pleasure? Take thy fill. <br />Earth hath enough of what you will. <br />Then let not go what thou maist find <br />For things unknown only in mind."<br /><br />Anne Bradstreet<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/flesh-and-the-spirit-the/
